VBT Itinerary by VBT www.vbt.com Saint Mary's College Bicycle Vacation: Tuscany by the Sea with Saint Mary's President Jan Cervelli October 19-28, 2018 Group # 281231 Tuscany by the Sea Spin through the rolling countryside of the Maremma, one of the least-developed areas of central Italy —and a sleepy coastal jewel abounding in bucolic farms, soothing seascapes and ancient walled cities. Along the way, you’ll admire the view from atop medieval ramparts, ferry across the Tyrrhenian Sea and savor the flavors of Tuscany’s farm-to-table cuisine, locally milled olive oil and rustic Tuscan wines. Our choice of four-star accommodations offers ample amenities for relaxing after your day of cycling—as well as active options like horseback riding and swimming. Cultural Highlights • Stay at an agriturismo resort featured in Condé Nast Traveler • Cycle lush Maremma Park, a World Wildlife Fund preserve • Savor the famed Morellino and Tuscan wines • Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at Tuscan fattorie lodgings • Swim and sunbathe at beaches along the Tyrrhenian • Sea Learn to bake Tuscan cantucci almond cookies • Visit the Andreini family olive oil mill for a tasting • Picnic at a Maremma organic vegetable and cattle farm • Cycle a scenic byway across Orbetello Lagoon • Find your favorite gelati flavors during ice cream breaks • Ferry to Giglio island and walk a panoramic trail with a local guide From NYC From Boston From Chicago $4,545/with airfare $4,645/with airfare $4,745/with airfare 1 / 7 VBT Itinerary by VBT www.vbt.com What to Expect This tour offers a combination of easy terrain and moderate hills and is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Our VBT support shuttle is always available for those who need assistance with the hills. Average Daily Mileage: 15 – 35 miles Average Cycling Time: 2 – 5 hours Climate Information Average High/Low Temperature (°F) – Rome March 61º/40º April 67º/45º May 72º/53º Jun 78º/60º Jul 83º/65º Aug 83º/65º Sep 79º/60º Oct 71º/54º Average Precipitation (in.) – Rome Mar 2.7 Apr 2.7 May 1.2 Jun 0.6 Jul 0.6 Aug 1.3 Sep 2.7 Oct 3.7 2 / 7 VBT Itinerary by VBT www.vbt.com OCT 19 Depart from home / Fly overnight to Rome Depart from home for Italy. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary. OCT 20 Arrive in Rome / Transfer to Orvieto Upon arrival at the Rome Fiumicino airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, you must fill out a PIR form before leaving the customs area; VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Also, make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags so that your representative can identify you. VBT’s local representative will meet you outside the customs area in your arrival terminal and will be holding a VBT sign. Your local representative helps you transfer by private car (approximately 2 hours) to your hotel in Orvieto to begin your trip. Your hotel room may not be available until 1:00 p.m. If you arrive early, you may store your luggage with the reception desk. If you are going to be delayed meeting our transfer representative for more than 15 minutes due to delayed or lost luggage, please let our Airport staff know by calling or sending a text message to +39 335 12 06 921. Our drivers are generally able to wait for up to 45 minutes from the time your flight lands, after which you will be responsible for your own transfer. However, they might be able to reschedule your transfer if they are aware of the delay. You may also contact our One Call travel assistance to advise of your delay, and they will contact our transfer service. You have the rest of the day free to explore this wonderful, historic city. Situated in the Paglia River Valley high atop a dramatic volcanic rock, Orvieto boasts centuries of history and architecture, including towers, palaces and noble houses. It began as an important Etruscan center and became prosperous in Roman times thanks to its production of ceramics. After being overrun by several invasions, Orvieto enjoyed the status of a free state in the 11th and 12th centuries. In 1354, it became a city of the Church Estate until 1798. After brief Napoleonic domination, it was finally annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. During your stay, be sure to visit Orvieto’s impressive Gothic cathedral, with its multi-colored façade of mosaics, stained glass and sculpture. You can also see many Etruscan artifacts at the Archaeological Museum. In the evening, relax in one of the city’s restaurants and sample the local cuisine. Hotel: Hotel Duomo 3 / 7 VBT Itinerary by VBT www.vbt.com OCT 21 Bicycle Vacation begins / Transfer to Parrina / Albinia Meet your VBT Trip Leaders at the hotel in Orvieto at 11:00 a.m. They will be wearing VBT staff garments. You will transfer by motorcoach (approximately 2 hours) to Antica Fattoria La Parrina. The coach will make a stop so that you can buy lunch on the way to the hotel in Parrina/Albinia. Antica Fattoria La Parrina is a welcoming, four-star agriturismo resort that has been featured in Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it produces its own wine, cheese, yogurt, vegetables, oil, balsamic vinegar and flowers. Organic pasta, delicious jams and sauces, and cosmetics are also partly prepared and marketed here. All products are made with natural and healthy ingredients. In the afternoon, you’ll join our Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session followed by a short warm-up ride over the estate along quiet country roads. Later, gather with the group for a welcome cocktail reception on the terrace. Dinner is at the hotel. Hotel: Antica Fattoria La Parrina Meals: B (included for Air Package guests only), D Daily Options: 5 miles (8 km) OCT 22 Cycle by the Maremma Park / Talamone / Cooking demonstration After breakfast, you’ll leave La Parrina and cycle to the coast and Talamone, where you’ll discover the many Greek legends linked to this little fortress village. There’ll also be time to swim in the glittering blue sea. This medieval hilltop town overlooking the Mediterranean is set in the rolling countryside of the Maremma, one of the least-developed areas of central Italy. Its skyline is dominated by an ancient Sienese castle. This little town of fishermen originally stood on Talamonaccio Hill and served as an ancient Etruscan port. Currently, Talamone is set inside a World Wildlife Fund nature reserve known as Parco Regionale della Maremma (Maremma Park), which features an incredible variety of protected flora and fauna. Lunch today is a delicious picnic prepared by your Trip Leaders. In the afternoon, you’ll cycle back to your hotel, where you can relax at the wonderful pool or take a walk on the mapped trails that weave through the estate. Or you may opt for horseback riding in the area, well known for its local breed of Maremma horses. Tonight, your hosts at La Parrina conduct a cooking class. Out on the terrace, learn how to prepare typical Tuscan cantucci—delicious almond cookies that are best when dipped in sweet Vin Santo wine. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Hotel: Antica Fattoria La Parrina Meals: B, L, D Daily Options: 15 or 30 miles (25 or 49 km) 4 / 7 VBT Itinerary by VBT www.vbt.com OCT 23 Cycle to Feniglia and Orbetello This morning, ride through the countryside toward the coast and Ansedonia, passing elegant villas and gardens and enjoying great views of the sea and the old watchtower that once defended this coast. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way at a typical Maremma country farm that grows its own organic vegetables and breeds cattle. This afternoon, you’ll cycle through a thick pine forest, and then roll alongside a sandy beach where you can take a refreshing swim. This is one of the most beautiful routes of the week. Later, you’ll continue to the old town of Orbetello, traversing a cycling path built on the lagoon. You’ll explore the lush byway around the lagoon, then rejoin your Trip Leaders and follow them to a great gelato spot. A short shuttle ride will take you back to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll shuttle to Orbetello for a stroll and maybe some shopping before enjoying dinner on your own; you can opt to remain at your hotel if you prefer. Hotel: Antica Fattoria La Parrina Meals: B, L Daily Options: 20, 33, or 39 miles (33, 53, or 62 km) OCT 24 Porto Santo Stefano / Ferry to Giglio Island This morning, you’ll say goodbye to your hosts at La Parrina and transfer to the bustling harbor and quaint village of Porto Santo Stefano. From this port town, you board a ferry to Giglio Island, arriving in the village of Giglio Porto. With a local guide, you’ll shuttle to the walled hilltop town of Giglio Castello, dominated by a fortress called the Rocca Pisana, and explore the site. This town is the oldest inhabited center on the island and still retains much of its medieval atmosphere. Afterward, you’ll continue westward to Campese Beach for an informal lunch in one of the restaurants. You have free time to swim or relax on the beach. If you prefer, opt for a hike along the Faraglione cliffs: learn about the 700 different species of wildflowers and plants that grow in this remote little corner of Tuscany.